We Need SPACE is the opportunity to create comedy and theater as our fullest, most unhindered trans and gender expansive selves!
Come learn basic and fun improvisational skills and games. You don’t have to have improv or acting skills as long as you are willing to step out of your comfort zone a little and give it a go! The goal is to have fun, cheer each other on, and make your scene partners look amazing. Our workshop will center liberation, joy, and community care.
As trans people continue to be scapegoated and the rights we’ve fought so hard for are being eradicated, we need SPACE to be together, play together, and catch our breath.
*Participants must apply in advance, as space is limited and we want to keep it a safe event for all.
**This workshop is for people 18 and over, but we do want to know if you know youth who are interested in case for potential future workshops.
What happens at this intensive?
We Need SPACE will take place in downtown Albuquerque, on Saturday, April 19th from 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday, April 20th from 12:00pm-6PM with a 1.5 hour break before rejoining for a friends and family showcase. Saturday is an improv workshop, focused on developing each participant’s improv craft, as well as creating a cohesive troupe centered on expressive, imaginative play. Sunday will consist of a dress rehearsal and showcase from 5:00pm-6:00pm. Participants will come away with strong skills in unscripted theater, receive high quality directing and feedback, and develop artistic connections to other trans and non-binary performers. The showcase will give us a chance to share our creative pursuits with community members and loved ones!
Who takes part in We Need SPACE?
The intensive is open to 25 participants with a range of experience in improv. There is a brief application to register (We Need SPACE application). People of all skill levels and artistic backgrounds are encouraged to take part in We Need SPACE. Whether an improv novice or an expert, everyone will have numerous opportunities to be challenged, develop new skills, and connect with other queer and trans performers.
Regarding playing as a mixed-skill troupe: Part of the goal of this workshop is to facilitate play between experienced improvisors and new players, so as to pool our collective knowledge and generate meaningful creative connections across people with varying artistic backgrounds. Those who are improv beginners can expect to learn a lot of new skills and draw upon other sources of artistic inspiration to guide their play. Those who are improv experts can expect to perform at their highest level in an environment that supports taking risks in storytelling. Experts have the opportunity and honor to welcome beginners to the craft.
Who is leading this?
We Need SPACE is created and directed by StormMiguel Florez, Eisa Al-Shamma, and Alexandra Sophia Hamilton aka Ash.
Come learn basic and fun improvisational skills and games. You don’t have to have improv or acting skills as long as you are willing to step out of your comfort zone a little and give it a go! The goal is to have fun, cheer each other on, and make your scene partners look amazing. Our workshop will center liberation, joy, and community care.
As trans people continue to be scapegoated and the rights we’ve fought so hard for are being eradicated, we need SPACE to be together, play together, and catch our breath.
*Participants must apply in advance, as space is limited and we want to keep it a safe event for all.
**This workshop is for people 18 and over, but we do want to know if you know youth who are interested in case for potential future workshops.
What happens at this intensive?
We Need SPACE will take place in downtown Albuquerque, on Saturday, April 19th from 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday, April 20th from 12:00pm-6PM with a 1.5 hour break before rejoining for a friends and family showcase. Saturday is an improv workshop, focused on developing each participant’s improv craft, as well as creating a cohesive troupe centered on expressive, imaginative play. Sunday will consist of a dress rehearsal and showcase from 5:00pm-6:00pm. Participants will come away with strong skills in unscripted theater, receive high quality directing and feedback, and develop artistic connections to other trans and non-binary performers. The showcase will give us a chance to share our creative pursuits with community members and loved ones!
Who takes part in We Need SPACE?
The intensive is open to 25 participants with a range of experience in improv. There is a brief application to register (We Need SPACE application). People of all skill levels and artistic backgrounds are encouraged to take part in We Need SPACE. Whether an improv novice or an expert, everyone will have numerous opportunities to be challenged, develop new skills, and connect with other queer and trans performers.
Regarding playing as a mixed-skill troupe: Part of the goal of this workshop is to facilitate play between experienced improvisors and new players, so as to pool our collective knowledge and generate meaningful creative connections across people with varying artistic backgrounds. Those who are improv beginners can expect to learn a lot of new skills and draw upon other sources of artistic inspiration to guide their play. Those who are improv experts can expect to perform at their highest level in an environment that supports taking risks in storytelling. Experts have the opportunity and honor to welcome beginners to the craft.
Who is leading this?
We Need SPACE is created and directed by StormMiguel Florez, Eisa Al-Shamma, and Alexandra Sophia Hamilton aka Ash.
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StormMiguel Florez (he/him) is a trans masc, queer Chicane filmmaker, writer, and actor whose work includes "The Whistle" (2019, Producer/Director), "MAJOR!" (2015, Editor/Co-Producer), and "Vulveeta (2022, Co-producer, Editor, Actor). He recently, finished his first screenplay for his upcoming comedy feature, “Welcome To Roswell.” His first acting role was at the tender age of ten in the made for TV movie, Police Woman Centerfold (filmed in Albuquerque). He’s originally from Albuquerque, NM, which is where he left his heart when he moved to San Francisco Bay Area in the late 90s. Eisa Al-Shamma (they/them) is a writer, improviser, teacher, and organizer based out of Oakland California. A queer and trans person with mixed Mexican, white, and Arabic ancestry, their artistic practices draw on theatrical training in improv, clown arts, live storytelling, and film-making. Eisa is also an educator with roots in Special Education, centering their teaching pedagogy on accessibility. Ash (she/they) is an improv enthusiast, writer, and community curandera who has been leading queer-centered improv for three years. She brings a deep love for storytelling, play, and collective magic to the stage. Ash believes improv is a powerful tool for connection, resilience, and joy -- especially for queer folks. When they're not facilitating improv, you can find her writing poetry, lifting heavy things, or chasing waterfalls. |
Logistics regarding accessibility and COVID safety
We Need SPACE will be in a box theater with a wheelchair accessible stage and bathrooms. The intensive will have several bio breaks and longer meal breaks during both days. There will be chairs onstage for participants to use at any time during scenes or exercises, both to rest on, and play with creatively. If you have specific access needs, please share them with us in the online application.
This event will take place indoors and be limited to 25 people (22 players and the directors). All participants will be asked to take a covid test before participating. (Tests will also be provided for those who don’t have any). We are requiring all participants to wear an N95 or N99 mask. If you don't have one, we'll provide one. Wearing a mask will not hinder your performance and ability to connect with other players onstage! For the final showcase on Sunday afternoon, all audience members will be required to wear a mask and players will have the option of removing their masks while on stage.
Questions? Reach out to StormMiguel at [email protected]
We Need SPACE will be in a box theater with a wheelchair accessible stage and bathrooms. The intensive will have several bio breaks and longer meal breaks during both days. There will be chairs onstage for participants to use at any time during scenes or exercises, both to rest on, and play with creatively. If you have specific access needs, please share them with us in the online application.
This event will take place indoors and be limited to 25 people (22 players and the directors). All participants will be asked to take a covid test before participating. (Tests will also be provided for those who don’t have any). We are requiring all participants to wear an N95 or N99 mask. If you don't have one, we'll provide one. Wearing a mask will not hinder your performance and ability to connect with other players onstage! For the final showcase on Sunday afternoon, all audience members will be required to wear a mask and players will have the option of removing their masks while on stage.
Questions? Reach out to StormMiguel at [email protected]